When the USMNT takes to the field next month at the Copa America Centenario, they’ll enjoy a home-field advantage against the hemisphere’s best teams. And much of that advantage comes thanks to tone-setting by the American Outlaws, the 35,000-strong national team supporters' group that now boasts nearly 190 chapters across the nation (and one in London).
This past weekend, to prepare for Copa America Centenario, the USWNT's trip to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, and the upcoming World Cup qualifiers for both teams, American Outlaws hosted a rally in Austin, Texas. The event brought 125 leaders and core members from more than 50 of its chapters.
“The AO rally was a huge opportunity for members and leaders to come together, without a game going on, to hang out, collaborate, and get hyped for a very busy rest of the year,” said Dan Wiersema of American Outlaws Communications. “With Copa, the Olympics, and World Cup qualifying coming, it was important to get some of our most motivated fans to unite together to reflect on AO's growth, plan what's next, and improve upon what we do.”
“We're never satisfied with just being at games or hosting watch parties,” he added. “We strive to contribute, learn and better our support to move American soccer culture forward.”
Here are a few major highlights from the event:
- A discussion on U.S. national team player development featuring former MetroStar and current U.S. Men’s National Team U-20 coach Tab Ramos. Ramos reviewed the latest changes to American youth soccer, most notably an emphasis on small-side and small field-games. He also discussed the important role of MLS-affiliated academies in player development, as well as the need for younger, MLS-affiliated players to accumulate national team experience.
- A panel discussing the state of U.S. soccer. Here, Ramos was joined by Jimmy Conrad, a USMNT veteran whose 12-year MLS career included time at the San Jose Earthquakes, Kansas City Wizards, and Chivas USA). Other panelists included the USWNT's Kristine Lilly (whose 352 caps makes her the most-capped American player), and longtime soccer journalist Grant Wahl.
- A keynote address from Men In Blazers’ Roger Bennett on the role of American Outlaws in shaping American soccer.
- A “Tifo 101” session which allowed AO members to paint part of a tifo that will display at the US match against Paraguay in Philadelphia on June 11.
- A discussion on enhancing the in-stadium experience for fans. This included insights from AODC President and Screaming Eagles field team member Donald Wine II, AO social media/event coordinator and Cauldron member Chris Donahoo, and AO Chattanooga president and Chattahooligans leader Andrew Breese.
More information on American Outlaws--and their upcoming presence at the Copa group stage matches in Santa Clara, Calif., Chicago, and Philadelphia--is available at their official website.
